Jesus - No Bones Broken

Prophecy

Jesus

, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs: But one of the soldiers with a spear

pierced His Side

, and forthwith came there out

blood

and water. And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe. For these things were done, that The

Scripture

should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken." John 19: 33-36

... the

priests

and

rulers

were not at rest. They had carried out their purpose in putting

Christ

to death; but they did not feel the sense of victory they had expected. Even in the hour of their apparent triumph, they were harassed with doubts as to what would next take place. They had heard the cry, "

It is finished

." "

Father

, into Thy hands I commend My spirit." John 19:30; Luke 23:46. They had seen the rocks rent, and had felt the mighty

earthquake

, and they were restless and uneasy.

They had been jealous of Christ's influence with the people when living; they were jealous of Him even in death. They dreaded the dead Christ more, far more, than they had ever feared the living Christ. They dreaded to have the attention of the people directed any further to the events attending His

crucifixion

. They feared the results of that day's work. Not on any account would they have had His body remain on the

cross

during the

Sabbath

. The Sabbath was now drawing on, and it would be a violation of its sanctity for the bodies to hang upon the cross. So, using this as a pretext, the leading

Jews

requested

Pilate

that the death of the victims might be hastened, and their bodies be removed before the setting of the sun.

Pilate was as unwilling as they for the body of Jesus to remain upon the cross. His consent having been obtained, the legs of the two thieves were broken to hasten their death; but Jesus was found to be already dead. The rude soldiers had been softened by what they had heard and seen of Christ, and they were restrained from breaking His limbs. Thus in the offering of the

Lamb of God

was fulfilled the law of the

Passover

, "They shall leave none of it unto the morning, nor break any bone of it: according to all the ordinances of the Passover they shall keep it." Num. 9:12